Zagzebski - Defining Knowledge

Question 1

What is a definition?

Answer 1

A statement of the exact meaning of a word, especially in a dictionary.

Question 2

What are the two reasons for defining something according to Zagzebski.

Answer 2

• Practical Purposes
• Theoretical Purposes

Question 3

Explain practical purposes

Answer 3

• About actually doing or using something
• Might be so we can identify our own knowledge or the knowledge of others to help us gain new knowledge.

Question 4

Explain theoretical purposes.

Answer 4

• About the theory of a subject of area of study rather than practical application
• more about ideas and concepts rather than actually doing anything
• looking for a necessary truth whereas practical sims may be satisfied with a contingent truth

Question 5

What is a necessary truth?

Answer 5

True in all possible worlds; it cannot be false.

Question 6

What is a contingent truth?

Answer 6

Happens to be true but could be false.

Question 7

What is a real definition?

Answer 7

A necessary truth that reveals the nature of the thing defined.

Question 8

What should a good definition do?

Answer 8

B- it should be brief

A- it should not be ad hoc (random or without reason, meet one very specific case)

C- should not be circular (not including the term we are trying to define)

O- should be less obscure than the concept being defined

N- should not be negative where it can be positive